The Rosenknospe: A Study

Introduction

Rosenknospe are widely known as the greatest marksmen, trackers and hunters in all of Ninisani. A people without a nation, these hardy folk are mostly of Pomeranian stock and a majority of them live in the woods and hills of Pomerania in their own communities, although clusters can be found across the Empire as well.

Origins

Rosenknospe date back to the Obysdian Invasion, 500 years ago and are thought to have originated from Pomeranians who adopted the Cult of the Rose that Rosenknospe practice today. The Cult of the Rose will be explained more later, but it seems to have been widely adopted by Pomeranians living in isolated areas that were largely separated from Pomeranian society due to the terrain. Here, the hardy mountain men found the beliefs of the Cult to be beneficially to them personally. As time has gone on, this "Cult" has spread with the Pomeranian Diaspora to many other mountain men around Ninisani and indeed, it appears that most of these Mountain men are Pomeranians rather than locals.

Beliefs

Rosenknospe belief in the so called "Cult of the Rose", which places the Goddess Rosemi as the Daugther of Pomu and her equal. While they maintain that Pomu is also their Patron, Rosemi to them is the first amongst equals and her nature as a Goddess of Nature, Flowers and Fertility appeals to them. Pomu's nature to them on the other hand is unorthodox in that they believe Pomu is the Mother Goddess and the Goddess of the Hunt, and Wildlife. Together, these beliefs are essential to the Cult of the Rose.

The Worship of Rosemi is carried out by the cultivation of flowers, and the preservation of natural beauty that usually surrounds their homesteads. Nature is to be respected but Nature also brings life and food to them. With the Dual Nature of Pomu and Rosemi, Rosemi serves as their domestic goddess, blessing their families with vegetables, and herbs at the dinner table and with the use of plants for medicinal and alchemical reasons too. Pomu's nature for them, on the other hand is seen through their success and the thrill of the hunt. Her chaotic nature is said to bemuse and bring thrill to the Rosenkospe while Rosemi brings them health, and fertility. Together, they bring happiness through the worship and honoring of both.

Rosenknospe have been persecuted for what is seen as heresy by orthodox Pomeranians, but the hardy mountaineers have been able to survive these persecutions and grew stronger because of them. The persecutions were seen by them as a test from the Dual Goddesses to test their faith and in their own minds they succeeded, shown by the proof of the common acceptance of them in present times as a separate faith instead of a heresy.

Dress

Rosenknospe men wear outfits usually sewn together from animal pelts and skins. They usually wear a hat known as the Rosenhut which has a feather and Rose attached to it. These men are almost always armed in some form even in celebrations or ceremonies. Rosenknospe women wear simple dresses made from linen that are decorated with patterns of Roses and other flowers.

Customs

Rosenknospe men from an early age are trained to be hunters and providers for their families. A boy usually receives his first gun at the age of 5 and is expected to have killed something with it by the age of 6. The rite of passage for every boy comes at age 16, where he is sent off into the wildnerness alone to kill a bear and take everything useful from the body. When this is accomplished, the Boy returns to his homestead and is given everything he needs to build his own household so that he may start another family. Sharpshooting and Sniping competitions occur regularly in Roseknospe settlements, with the winners being given a Crown of Roses and a drink from every man in town.

Hunting is taken extremely seriously as a ritual, and it is expected as custom for every animal shot to be consumed completely in some form or another. The ceremonial custom of taking a cup of blood from the killed is seen as sacred by the Hunters, and to not do so would bring misfortune.

Rosenknospe women likewise are trained from a young age to become the caretaker of the family by their mothers. Sewing, cooking, cleaning and gardening are all stressed, and it is common for a young girl to master these arts by the age of 10.

Marriage within Rosenknopse society is based upon love, rather than being arranged. The Gala of the Two Goddesses is a dance festival dedicated towards the boys that have become men recently and girls of similar ages. Many marriages often come from love that develops during this festival, but many more also come from more mundane encounters. A Typical Wedding involves the Couple swearing loyalty to each other under all circumstances, the fulfillment of their roles as the Provider and Caretakers of a family and the honor of Rosemi and Pomu by their lives. Rose petals are showered on the couple after these vows are exchanged.

Straightforwardness, honesty and kindness towards others are the chief social virtues in their society. Leaders are expected to lead by example rather than by the tongue.

Nobility

Rosenknospe Nobles likely come from Pomeranians who became affiliated with the Cult of the Rose, or warriors that were ennobled for their deeds. They live like Pomeranians mostly but also stick to the customs of Rosenknospe societies when it comes to the hunt. It's common for a Rosenknospe noble to serve as the Master of the Hunt in Pomerania. Rosenknospe nobles also retain the similar social virtues and habits of the commoners as well

As Warriors

Rosenknospes are rightfully feared as marksmen and trackers in Ninisani. A wanted man's worse fear is to have a Rosenknospe on his trail because not only will he find him but dealt with in a brutal fashion for his sins. Most of the skirmishers in the Pomeranian army are Rosenknospes and are famed for their ability to strike a target unseen from a long distance. They also serve as some of the best scouts that Pomerania has to offer for this reason too. Because of their hunter's instinct, it has been noted that many Rosenknospes have a sixth sense that tells them danger is close in some form. It appears that this also came from their long periods of persecution as well.

Rosenknospes are not inclined to war like their common ancestors in Pomerania. They would rather mind their own business and be left alone than fight a war for a King. It is said that if this inclination was any different, Pomeranian would be in a far different situation that in currently is as it is noted that the Rosenknospes that do serve probably do not fight to the fullest of their own skill out of reluctance. This all changes when Rosenknospes themselves are threatened by an enemy and Dragoons have made it a point to avoid areas with Rosenknospe settlements in them because of how fiercely they will defend themselves.